Friday, 24 May 2013

Coccidiosis in Rabbits

This is a highly contagious sporozal infection which effects the intestine. This is a disease of birds and mammals.

This is caused by the protozoal parasite. From what I have learned there has been 25 species of coccidia observed in the gastrointestinal tract of the rabbit. These are rarely a danger to humans which means you can handle them without ending up with it as we are mammals.

Healthy bunnies can be carriers of this, yet from their faeces, they can contaminate their environment - including their food and water, and this especially effects the younger animals.

You should be giving your bunny dry pellets, washed fresh vegetables and clean drinking water. If your bunny is living in these conditions, it is said that the coccidiosis in rabbits is much less likely to occur.

Symptoms:
These can vary depending on if the disease is a hepatic or intestinal infection.

They may loose their appetite and loose weight.

They may have diarrhoea.

They may get a 'pot-bellied' appearance or pain in the abdomen.

They may become dehydrated and present signs of weakness.

Treatment:

If you have you doubts on weather or not your bunny has this or not, I would take them to the vets to have them checked to make sure. What has previously been used to treat this, has made the parasites more resistant to it, yet there is a stronger medication in which thy can use. Also if they have any secondary bacterial infections, they will also be treated but with anti biotics.

So after you take them to the vets, listen to the instructions in which they have given you to do with your bunny to help cure this vile disease. I have heard that it is recommended that they are kept separate from any others in which they may be living with.

I hope this post gave you a better understanding about coccidiosis in rabbits!